Festive Chhath amid dangerous ghats

on Thursday, 07 November 2013 17:23.

While the preparation of renovating the ghats in its final stage, the administration has declared several ghats dangerous for Chhath puja. Administration has barricaded these dangerous ghats and no arrangement has been made on part of the administration. Learning from the stampede that caused death of scores of chhath devotees last year, this year administration claims to have made elaborate arrangements to avoid such situations. A couple of Peepa bridges has been made across the by-streams of Ganges to reach the main current. The dangerous ghats declared by Patna administration are

B N College Ghat

Mishri Ghat

Kadam Ghat

Banshi Ghat

Judges Court Ghat

Adalat Ghat

Bankipore Club Ghat

Sipahi Ghat

Anta Ghat

Minar Ghat

Jahaz Ghat

Shiva Ghat

Buddha Ghat

Badwa Ghat

Sipahi School Ghat

Nahar Lakh Ghat

Ramjichak Hathua Enclave Ghat

With the shifting of the Ganges main stream away from several parts of Patna, the devotees has been left with very few options. The main stream is as far as three and half kilometer at Bans Ghat. Though, the administration has maid arrangements at several ponds also, but going by the way, most of the devotees from these areas will perform Argh from their home only. However, this has not lessened any enthusiasm among the devotees. With Kharna falling today, the people are getting ready with tomorrow evening Argh.

go4patna.com wishes all the devotees of this maha festival (Aastha Ka Mahaparv) a very happy Chhath.

Sonepur Fair 2013 from November 16

on Monday, 28 October 2013 08:06.

The world famous Sonepur Fair for the year 2013 will start from November 16 and will continue for a month (till December 15). Asia's biggest cattle fair attracts thousands of tourist every year, including foreigners in large number. The fair which is held during the pious month of Kartik, starts a day ahead of Kartika Poornima (the full moon day on November 17). Bihar State Tourism Department is organizing the fair since 2012.

Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) is offering one day excursion tour program for all the people who wants to enjoy the cattle fair of Sonepur. The excursion starts with a boat journey (M V Ganga Vihar) from Gandhi Ghat at 9:00 AM and reaches Sonepur, which is situate on the bank of river Gandak, in 150 minutes. The tourist can enjoy the fair on vehicle arranged for the purpose. The excursion also include lunch during the day. The boat reaches back to Gandhi Ghat at 7:30 PM. The cost of package per person (terms and conditions included) is :

Rs 810 on Winger vehicle

Rs 660 on Non AC Mini Bus

Rs 760 on ISUZU

The Corporation has also made arrangements for providing hired four-wheeler from Hotel Kautilya Vihar to the fair who want to avail a day long tour. The tourist can also book Cottages (Swiss Cottages) in the fair. The Sonepur Paryatak Gram Tariff has a variable rate based on the booking date :

16th November - 22nd November - Rs. 7000 + taxes extra

23rd November - 29th November - Rs. 2500 + taxes extra

30th November- 15th December - Rs. 499 + taxes extra

Serial blasts rock Patna

on Monday, 28 October 2013 05:41.

The peace and tranquility of Patna was perturbed by a series of low intensity explosions ahead of the much hyped 'Hunkar' rally of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) where its Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi was to address people at Gandhi Maidan. The explosions claimed six lives and injured close to hundred people at Patna Junction and Gandhi Maidan. The eight explosion that occurred between 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM yesterday caught the police and the investigating agencies by surprise. The timer controlled explosion has pointed towards the involvement of banned terrorist outfit Indian Mujahideen, whose one member has been said to be arrested by the police. Few other has also been arrested on suspicion and the inquiry is on. The Union government rushed the special team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guard (NSG) with bomb squad to investigate and assist the police in the serial explosions.

The capital was flooded with people coming from different parts of the state to attend the highly advertised poll campaign of Narendra Modi. The absence of Election Code of Conduct in the state has caused the entire city to be covered in hoardings and banners of the 'Hunkar' rally. It is roughly estimated that close to 2 lakh people were present in the Gandhi Maidan when the explosions set off. The vast size of the ground failed to create stampede like situation which is usually followed after such explosions, manifested by the strong rumors. The 3,000 buses from different districts and 11 specially booked trains had already arrived when the first explosion went off. The first blast occurred at 9:30 AM in the toilet on Platform 10 on Patna Junction. The platform generally used for Gaya bound trains was specially designated for the special trains arriving for the rally. The injured persons has been admitted in PMCH. Five of the six deceased belong to Patna, while the identity of sixth is yet to be verified. The sequence of the blasts explosions are

9: 30 AM - Two blasts on Platform number 10 on Patna Junction

11:40 AM - Blast near Udyog Bhavan in eastern Gandhi Maidan

12:05 PM - Near Regent Cinema, which adjoins Udyog Bhavan

12:10 PM - Near Mahatma Gandhi's statue in the Gandhi Maidan

12:15 PM - Near Twin Towers on Southern periphery of Gandhi Maidan

12:20 PM - Near SBI Main Branch on the western periphery of Gandhi Maidan

12:25 PM - At Children's Park, on north-western periphery

The police also recovered six unexploded Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) - two each at Gandhi Maidan, Twin Tower and Patna Junction. The serial blasts left people in panic. Most of the native citizens had preferred to stay at home owing to the deluge of large number of people from different districts of the state. The blasts might not dampen the spirit of the festive mood of people with Diwali barely a week away, but it has surely signaled the arriving of a new challenge in Patna which has so far been away from the terror radar of the banned terrorist organizations. The explosions at Bodh Gaya had some repercussion in the capital, whereas the blats itself in capital has thrown a wider challenge before the state agencies.

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